Comparison of airways' microbiota at different sampling sites in patients with cystic fibrosis

Introduction: Although lung has long been considered sterile, evidence from previous studies suggests the existence of a microbiome in healthy lungs. Chronic lung disease in CF patients was demonstrated to be correlated to changes in that microbiota. Results suggest that alteration of the microbiota may be important in pathophysiology of CF. However, little is known about the spatial structure of the microbiota along the airways and its influence on CF lung disease. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship of microbiota between three sampling sites of the upper (nose (n = 39), throat…